Potential Interactions and Immunomodulatory Effects of Marine Virus Exposure on SARS-CoV-2 Infection Outcomes in Coastal Populations

Subject Areas : Biotechnological Journal of Environmental Microbiology

Shahryar Tagheipour Kouhbane ¹ , Piruz Shadbash ^{2 *}

1 - Researchers and Elites Club, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran
2 - Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-07-16 Accepted : 2024-08-18 Published : 2024-08-21

Keywords: Immune system, Marine, Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Infection, Coastal Populations,

Abstract :

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the complexity of viral co-infections and their impact on human health. While much attention has been given to terrestrial pathogens, Marine viruses play an important role in marine ecosystems and biological cycles, and their study can provide us with new insights into environmental science and biotechnology.marine viruses—particularly those infecting marine mammals and plankton—remain underexplored in the context of co-infections with SARS-CoV-2. This mini-review examines the potential interactions between marine viruses and SARS-CoV-2, focusing on immunomodulatory effects, ecological considerations, and public health implications for coastal populations. We discuss the role of marine viruses in shaping immune responses, their potential to exacerbate or mitigate COVID-19 severity, and the challenges in diagnosing and managing such co-infections. The review highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to understand the broader ecological and health impacts of marine virus exposure in the era of COVID-19.

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